Don’t demolish poor people’s homes, pleads Farooq Sattar

MQM-Pakistan chief says people who bought land carved out through China-cutting are also victims

KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) - Pakistan has said that if the Supreme Court passes a verdict against land grabbers, then the entire population of Surjani Town will stand by the court’s decision.

MQM-Pakistan Convener Dr Farooq Sattar said that the people of Surjani Town are with his party, adding that they would speak up for the population being forcibly made homeless.

We urge the Supreme Court to take action against the land grabbers, urged Dr Sattar, pleading that the poor people who unknowingly purchased land from the land grabbers should not be punished. He said this while speaking to people who had been evicted from their homes at a camp in Surjani Town on Sunday. According to him, these people have government files and have paid all the necessary fees to the government for their plots of land.

“The houses of poor people being demolished is a grave injustice to them,” the chief of MQM-Pakistan said while adding that no has listened to what the poor residents of the houses built on land carved out through China-cutting have to say. Demolishing their houses is an injustice, he said.



He said that the homeless people should at least be given a chance to file a review petition.

According to Dr Sattar, no one is trying to save Karachi from injustice. However, the city feeds the entire country.

Dr Sattar also said that the domicile and permanent residence certificate have been issued at a mere Rs3,000.

“Who will hold those accountable who did China-cutting in the population census?” he demanded.

“The people who don’t get anything try to hound the people of Karachi and MQM-Pakistan,” he said. “No one should take the people of Karachi lightly,” he added.

According to him, they have a right to hold a peaceful protest for every injustice being committed with the poor people.  “We are with the affectees and will also provide legal counsel to them.”

He said those who were involved in land-grabbing are no longer a part of MQM-Pakistan after August 22, 2016.